Fred Shewmake, Jimmy Cochran, Cindy Dodson and Wanda Bennett pray as Shewmake delivers the invocation before the start of a recent Bossier Police Jury meeting at the Bossier Parish Courthouse in Benton.

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Prayer is, for many, as much the people's business as any city code or ordinance.

In Shreveport-Bossier City and their parishes, only prayer precedes the Pledge of Allegiance in beginning public government meetings. Some pass the moment in silent reflection, but for others it represents the reason the meeting will happen at all.

"I don't believe in legislating religion, but I also don't believe you can completely separate religion from government," said Bossier City Council President Scott Irwin. "I am a Christian. Most of the community is Christian. We make laws based on our values, our ...